Spacer and matrix.



No. 724,332. PATRNTRD MAR. 31, 1903.

M.RE1D. l y SPACER AND MATRIX.

APPLICATION FILED MAB. 1 9, 1898.

H0 MODEL. 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

W/TNESSES: /NVENTOH l No. 724,332. A PATBNTED MAR. 31, 19,03.

' M. REID. v

SPACER AND MATRIX..

APPLIGATIQN FILED MAR.19. 189s. No MODEL. SHEETS-SHEET 2.

s PAcERs und MA1-ences .EP Witnesses, I Invenoz',

. JHM;

THE wams PETERS co. Pnowuna. wAsnxuwoN. n. c.

UNITED STATES PAT-ENT OFFICE.

MARCELLUS REID, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO.

, SPACER AND MATRIX.

sPEcIFIcnTIoN forming'part of Lettersratent No. 724,332, dated March 31, 1903.

Application filed March 19,1898.

To all whom. t may concern:

Be it known that I, MARCELLUS REID, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Cleveland, county of Cuyahoga, and StateY of Ohio, have invented a new and useful 11nprovemeut in Spacers and Matrices, of which the following is a specication, the principle of the invention being herein explained and the .best Inode in which I have contemplated applying that principle, so as to distinguish it from other inventions.

The object of my invention is to provide a matrix either intaglio or cameo in formation and a spacing device to be used in machines for making type-bars or type-matrices which shall be very simple in construction and efficient in operation.

I am aware that other devices of a similar character are used to accomplish the same result; but this invention consists of a peculiar form of a single wedge-space to be used withV specially-formed matrices, the space being constructed so as to be pulled through the matrices between words and then pulled back for releasing the matrices.

The annexed drawings andthe following description set forth in detail certain mechanism embodying the invention, such disclosed means constituting but one of various mechanical forms in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In said annexed drawings, Figure 1 represents an enlarged perspective View of my im- .proved matrix; Fig. 2, ahorizontal transverse section atA B or C D, Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side view of my improved space-bar. Fig. tis a horizontal longitudinal section at E F, Fig. 3, except the guideways at each end for pulling the space-bar in and out. Fig. 5 is an enlarged view of part of a line of matrices, taken from the side on whichl the characters are placed, showing'position of space-bars in spacing a line of matrices. Fig. 6 represents a broken end view of that portion of a type setting and distributing machine used for inserting the spacing-bars and justifying the line of matrices and bars; and Fig. 7 represents a front elevation of same, showing portions broken away.

My improved matrix 8 is provided on each lateral face, at its upper and lower edges, with a groove 1 of triangular cross-section,

Serial No. 674,414. (No model.)

each groove having hence two bearmg-surfaces a and b, inclined to and parallel with the matrix-axis, respectively, as shownin Fig. 2, said surfaces b on the same side of the ma'- trx being located at a distance from each other equal to that between the surfaces b on the opposite side, the surfaces b on opposite sides being located in the same plane. Be tween each two surfaces b, on the same side of the matrix, is formed a plane surface c, the two such surfaces being parallel with each other, as shown in Fig. 2, said surfaces forming the bearing by means of which the matrices are caused to lie parallel with each other when placed side by side in position lfor receiving the metal. As is well known to those skilled in the art, it is required to introduce a spacing-bar in the spaces in the line of matrices, such bar serving several purposes, one of which is to prevent a printing-surface from being cast in such spaces, the second of which is to form a containing-wall for the metal at the outer lateral surfaces of the last matrix in one word and the outer lateral surface of the first matrix of the following word, and a third of which is to spread the matrices forming words apart, and thereby clamp the whole line tightly in order to prevent the metal from flowing into interstices and forming fins. The mode of introducing my spacing-bar into the line of matrices and of subsequently moving it as is required does not differ from that heretofore employed in machines of like principle-'that is, one bar is introduced in each space, and on completion of the line the entire series of bars is moved forward to spread the words, and after the casting operation is returned and finally withdrawn in a direction transverseV with respect to its last movement. Any suitable mechanism may hence be employed toimpart said movements. My improved spacing-bar consists of a thin Web 4. of rectangular cross-section, Figs. 3 and 4, upon each outer narrow surface of which is centrally located with reference to said surface a plane-surface Wedge 2, extending along said surface and .having its terminal point intermediate of the extremities of the bar, as at 5 and 6, Fig. 3. -The width of the web between these wedges is made equal to or substantially equal to the width of the IOO in a magazine.

bearing-surfaces Z) in the matrices, and the width of the wedges is such as to permit of their movement in the grooves with facil` ity. The inclination of surfaces a to each other is made equal to that of the inclined surfaces of the wedge. It is therefore seen that 'the bar may be introduced so as to cause the wedges to engage the grooves on adjacent sides of two end matrices for the purposes above mentioned and that in so doing such end matrices remain parallel with each other during such operation. The character 3 is placed in the end of one of the outer surfaces of the matrix in a position such that the two grooves on opposite sides of the matrix and adjacent to such surface shall each begin at the middle of the character-space and both converge from such point, as shown in Fig. 5. Such construction is adopted in order to reduce the interstices d, Fig. 5, between the side face of the matrix and the inclined and adjacent face of the wedge engaging such matrix to the greatest extent in order to reduce as far as possible the formation of fins at such points and at the same time leave the requisite amount of space around the character to permit type-metal to have sufficient body for each letter. It is seen that should the said groove begin at the bottom of the character-space said interstices d would be increased in size to an objectionable extent, whereas should they begin at the top of such space too much of the body of the letter would be cut away to form a properly-constructed type. By beginning from the middle, however, the space d becomes so small as not to constitute a serious defect and at the same time permits the type-bar or type-matrix to have sufficient metal around each letter to constitute a well constructed type or matrix. The wedges terminating at the point 5, it is seen that a portion of the spacing-bar is provided with parallel sides throughout its entire width, such construction permitting the bar to be withdrawn from the matrices transversely with facility by withdrawing the bar longitudinally, so as to bring such parallelsided portion contiguous to the matrices. The ends of the bars are provided with parallel shoulders 9 and 10, Fig. 3, which are supported by grooved guideways 7, connected with and operated by mechanism suitable for imparting the above-described movements to the spacing-bars. These shoulders provide a convenient means for pulling the space-bar in and out for spacing aline of matrices to a previously xed length and also provide means for holding the bars in a parallel position with reference to each other when stored Each shoulder is provided with a groove l2, which receives a tongue 13, the engagement of which prevents the bar from falling over sidewise while being removed from a magazine to a position in a line of matrices.

For carrying eut the above-described operation one form of mechanism which may be used is that illustrated in Figs. 6 and 7',

in which are provided a spacer-magazine G' and an assembling-channel H, a channelA J offering communication of the one with the other. The space-bars are fed into the magazine G and moved longitudinally therein by suitable mechanism, (not shown,) so as to drop bars into the channel J as they are required to be inserted between the matrices composing a word, such matrices being fed into said channel by suitable means (also not shown) and discharged into the end of said assembling-channel H. The space-bars and matrices are fed along the channel H by means of a pusher K and upon completion of a line are passed across a vertically-reciprocable spacer-elevator M, which when in its lowermost position forms a guideway continuous with the channel H for guiding the line into the justifier N, which is provided with the grooved guideways 7, Fig. 6, for engaging the spacer-bars. While the line of matrices is held stationary in the justier the guideways 7 are given areciprocating movement in the longitudinal direction of the spacer-bars, thereby upon the lirst stroke of such movement spreading the words and closing up the intern stices between the matrices. The justified line is now ready to receive the type-bar or the cast, upon completion of which the rei turn movement of the spacers is eected, thereby again loosening up the line. The line, including the bars, is then moved back into the elevator M. 'Opposite and above the spacer-elevator and having the same direction of movement is located a matrix-elei dovetailed projection 14, formed upon the upper surface of each matrix. The elevator O being now raised, the matrices are withdrawn from contact with the space-bars and carried to the distributing device. (Not shown.)

IThe space-bars after such operation are ele- ;vated to the magazine G, into which they are 'inserted by means of suitable mechanism, Y(not shown,) from whence they are eject-ed Ias before and again traverse the above-de- ;scribed cycle.

Other modes of applying the principle of my invention may beemployed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the mechanism here/in disclosed, pro vided the means covered by any one of the following claims be employed.

I therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as my invention-` l. A matrix having a character or matrix proper, in or near one corner, parallel bearing-surfaces on opposite sides, and inclined surfaces at the top and bottom on opposite sides extending from a plane passing through the face of said character transversely and substantially at right angles thereto, substantially as set forth.

2. A space-bar having extended shoulders at each end and a central web with wedge- IOO shaped edge portions extending from said sisting of a central Web with Wedge-shaped shoulders on one end to Within a short dissections on the edges, and heads having par. tance of the shoulders on the opposite end, allel lateral faces, of guideways provided said shoulders and web having parallel latwith slots adapted to receive said heads, sub- I 5 5 eral faces, substantially as set forth. stantially as set forth.

3. The combination with a spacing-bar Signed by me this 17th day of March, 1898. having terminal shoulders each provided with MARCELLUS REID n a groove, of a bar-support provided with tongues engaging such grooves, substantially Attest: Y 1o asset forth. DAVID T. DAvIEs,

4. The combination with a space-bar conl A. E. MERKEL. 

